Northville Downs celebrated its opening night on Friday, April 7 with a large crowd and an exciting finish to the night's featured race.
Seven-year-old pacing mare Sugar Dance, a daughter of Ghees House and Sugar Biscuit, captured the $10,800 Mares Open Pace by a neck margin over pacesetters Princess Rougarou and Artistic Cut in a final clocking of 1:57.1.
Driver Ed Hennessey took Sugar Dance to the back of the pack and looked on as Artistic Cut tripped the beam to the contested opening quarter in :27.2. Princess Rougarou then came hard to clear Artistic Cut for the lead and stopped the timer to the half at :57.2 and three-quarters at 1:26.4. Sugar Dance was then guided to the far outside by Hennessey turning for home and turned on the jets to snatch the victory in the shadow of the wire in an exciting three-mare photo finish that showed the three separated by just a neck in total.
Sugar Dance, who captured her 23rd career victory, is owned by trainer Sandra Hennessey and Paula Sugars.
Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday, April 8 at 7 p.m. with a nine-race program in store for the fans. For live racing dining reservations, be sure to call Northville Downs in advance at 248-924-2073.
(With files from Northville Downs; Photo of Sugar Dance winning at Dayton Raceway)